Don't Mind All The Blurry Pics Trip #2 - Updated 4/14/09

[BeckWhy]

We caught a glance of Goofy on our way to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

BTMRR was one of our longest waits. Maybe 10 minutes or so. When we got up to the loading doc the CM said "Front or back?" "Not the front..." "Well those are your options!" Oooookkkkkkk then... she was not in a good mood. So we started to head down the isleway there and we're almost to the end and someone starts screaming at us. Both Eric and I turn around. It was the CM yelling at us to move faster. Eric goes "we're walking, do you want us to RUN?" So I was walking backwards because the CM was practically pushing us back and I ran right into a corner. OMG did it hurt! I'm not sure how many of you know or remember, but waiting line for the last seat is kinda crowded. The wall jags outward in a corner and it really makes it just enough room for 4 people to stand while waiting for the trains. The people who were in line for the next train were a big bigger and took up a big more space than other people. Hey I don't have a problem with that, but the CM was yelling at us to go stand in this lil space that was really just the size for one person. At this point Eric is practically yelling back at the CM because she grabbed his arm and attempted to push him into the corner with me. Well Eric stepped back there with me and then scooted out of there after the CM left.

Now I don't mean to be a witch, and I know there are a few threads out there about rude CMs, but I have never really had to deal with it before. But everyone knows when you go to WDW you hold the CMs to a higher level because of the customer service Disney prides themselves in.

So we rode BTMRR and then headed off to the Haunted Mansion.

Here's the view of BTMRR from the walkway from Frontierland to Liberty Square:

Last trip I didn't take any pics of the Haunted Mansion exterior. I was so disappointed in myself. I also haven't rode HM since they refurbished it.

Absolutely no wait at all. We literally walked right up to the doors and waited just long enough to see Madame open her eyes.

During the stretching room I was actually surprised at everyone who looked up. Many people don't even know about it.

I don't think the HM changed greatly, but the changes were great.

Here's the Pet Cemetery:

Eric asked about the ring... and I told him I was never able to find it and heard that they removed it. He asked why and I said "probably to stop congestion?"

Liberty Bell:

Wonka Bars in a candy shop in Liberty Square:

They did some sort of performance for the opening of Pecos Bill's:

 

[BeckWhy]

We were on our way to Adventureland.

We got there just in time to catch the ending of Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial. We had no idea when it was schedule to play throughout the day because it wasn't listed on the Times Guide.

We walked around to find, maybe a sign or something that said what time it would be showing again. No luck. And no CMs around either.

I wish people would listen to the instructions and no use their FLASH! Or their LCD display. There were a few parts that weren't working. But I love POTC.

I decided to try a Dole Whip. The line wasn't long. I ordered my drink and went to get a straw but the dispenser wasn't working. So I asked the CM for a straw and he pointed at the dispenser. So I tap the straw letter-go-thing to show him nothing was coming out. So he pushed the opposite side and a straw came out. He threw it away. So I turned it down and pushed. Nothing. So I said to him "can I just get a straw?" And he pushed it and said "How come when I push it, a straw come out?" So I push it lightly, normally, and then slammed it with my fingers. I go "How should I know? It just doesn't like me!" What the heck? Just get me a straw. OMG! What is with the CMs in the MK?

I liked the juice. But the ice cream part of is wasn't pineapple-y enough for me. It was ok, nothing I'll get again.

The walkway from Frontierland to Liberty Square at 10:30 am.

The entrance to Fantasyland:

We decided to do Mickey's PhilharMagic next. I really love this attraction. It was a bit chilly in there though.

Cinderella's Carousel:

Alice and her friends were out and about around the Mad Tea Party. This is a ride I have never been on and will never ride!

We snuck our way to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. I always love this ride and Eric and I battle it out for who gets the high score! I always lose. I can never figure out where my laser is pointed to.

Some views from Tomorrowland:

When we had first arrived at MK the Castle was roped off. I was disappointed because in the past it has also been roped off and wanted to walk through it. When we left Tomorrowland and headed off to Frontierland we saw that you could finally walk through the Castle. So we did. It was packed, so sorry no pics.

 

[Alarose]

Beck, I am loving the trip report so far! Keep it coming!

I can't believe how rude that CM was to you! I would have just lost it

Hey! We are staying at Pop Century too when we go Jan. 8th-15th (so excited)...even about the same amount of days
!

Magic Kingdom is also the first park we go to...great minds think alike I guess

I'm sorry you did not get your room preferance...we also requested the 70s or 50s room and a King Sized bed. We will be there on our honeymoon, and that is noted on our reservation...I really hope we get the King sized bed at least.

Was your room spot that much worse? I heard the 70s building is the closest to the busses and main building.


Well, so far you have a wonderful trip going! I look forwarrd to more!

 

[heaven2dc]

After the Disney store I decided to run into the Sea World store. Last time they had these really cute stuffed penguins and I wanted to check them out. Each trip I buy a realistic stuffed animal from the Animal Kingdom. They are made by a company called Fiesta. I thought maybe I could add a penguin to my pack. They weren't as realistic as the Fiesta animals. So I decided to skip them.

We headed through the terminal to the B side where Disney's Magical Express was. We get there, head down the escalladers and nothing. "What the...?" So we go to one of the little seating areas so I can dig my ME documents outta my back and see what was going on. OMG! It's terminal A. Fantastic! I could have sworn they were terminal B. So back up the escalladers through the main terminal and down some more escalladers. Yep, that's where ME is. What an idiot I am.

There were cast members directing the way and there was a small line for ME. The sign at the front said that only one person needed to check in. I knew that would make Eric happy because he hates waiting in line. So I told him to go have a seat while I checked in.

The process was painless. They stamped our ME docs and asked how many checked backs we had. Then we headed off to the Pop Century ME waiting line. The lines have grown in the length since 2006. I don't mean the people waiting in line, just the length of them. Anyways, walked through the lines and waited.

Here's Eric trying to get the internet on his iTouch while waiting:

Just like last time we didn't wait long at all. Maybe 3 minutes. We were kinda far back in the line, but here's the bus:

Great TR so far! I got a little confused here and hope you can clarify something for me - is the ME on Terminal A side now? I will be there in less than 2 weeks and will be arriving in Terminal B and thought all I had to do was take the escalators down to the ground transportation to find ME.

Is it Terminal A or Terminal B? Thanks in advance!

 

[figment fan21]

hi beck!

I started reading your TR and i love it! I'm definatly subbing! Can't wait to read more!

-Katie

 

[BeckWhy]

Great TR so far! I got a little confused here and hope you can clarify something for me - is the ME on Terminal A side now? I will be there in less than 2 weeks and will be arriving in Terminal B and thought all I had to do was take the escalators down to the ground transportation to find ME.

Is it Terminal A or Terminal B? Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty sure A.. but your ME docs will tell you.

 

[BeckWhy]

Up close:

It was very good. I really liked it.

I had noticed that you could just barely see the WDW entrance sign from our room. So I ran up to the 4th floor to take a pic of it.

I also saw this lil guy while on my mini-trip:

He's the pizza guy! It's a lil mini van... its really cute.

I headed back to the room and showered and went to bed. Eric watched some TV.

Coming up: The Magic Kingdom!

I completely forgot about the ME bag drop off until I was posting on Alarose's pre-trippy.

So as you can see on the clock it was about 8 pm. According to Disney, it will take up to 3 hours after you arrive for your luggage to be dropped off at your room. Well our flight arrived before 3 pm and it was now 5 hours later (I have read comments about people waiting so long for their luggage). I have never had this problem in the past. Of course there is only one trip I used ME. I called to ask about it.

Now you have to understand that I am absolutely terrified of losing my luggage. In years before 9/11 I never checked anything! And now I was really scared because not only could the airline lose it, but so could Disney.

Well I called and the CM who helped me was like "what time did you arrive?" And I said "To Orlando or Disney World?" She said "Orlando. "About 3 pm" "Well your luggage should be there then." "Obviously, and its NOT! So where is it and when are we getting it?" "What room are you?" "7251." "It should be there in the next 10 minutes."

Now why couldn't you just tell me that in the first place instead of telling me it should be here already. So I set the alarm clock because if it wasn't there, I was going to call again.

That's when I took a walk and took those pics of the sign and the pizza van. I called my mom to complain about how my luggage wasn't here. Of course as soon as I stepped out of the door I saw the CM with it heading the other direction. And our luggage was on his cart.

When I returned the luggage was there. I opened up my suitcase and unpacked. And the entire back support system of it had broken. ARGH! My dad told me the airport had to correct it and I said I don't think that will work because Disney handled my luggage also. My dad told me I was screwed.

 

[Alarose]

I completely forgot about the ME bag drop off until I was posting on Alarose's pre-trippy.

So as you can see on the clock it was about 8 pm. According to Disney, it will take up to 3 hours after you arrive for your luggage to be dropped off at your room. Well our flight arrived before 3 pm and it was now 5 hours later (I have read comments about people waiting so long for their luggage). I have never had this problem in the past. Of course there is only one trip I used ME. I called to ask about it.

Now you have to understand that I am absolutely terrified of losing my luggage. In years before 9/11 I never checked anything! And now I was really scared because not only could the airline lose it, but so could Disney.

Well I called and the CM who helped me was like "what time did you arrive?" And I said "To Orlando or Disney World?" She said "Orlando. "About 3 pm" "Well your luggage should be there then." "Obviously, and its NOT! So where is it and when are we getting it?" "What room are you?" "7251." "It should be there in the next 10 minutes."

Now why couldn't you just tell me that in the first place instead of telling me it should be here already. So I set the alarm clock because if it wasn't there, I was going to call again.

That's when I took a walk and took those pics of the sign and the pizza van. I called my mom to complain about how my luggage wasn't here. Of course as soon as I stepped out of the door I saw the CM with it heading the other direction. And our luggage was on his cart.

When I returned the luggage was there. I opened up my suitcase and unpacked. And the entire back support system of it had broken. ARGH! My dad told me the airport had to correct it and I said I don't think that will work because Disney handled my luggage also. My dad told me I was screwed.

Ohhhh no! That is horrible. Did you mention anything to the desk? Maybe they could have at least vouched that the luggage was like that when they got it from the airport.

Yikes! I hadn't heard the luggage can take up to 5 hours to be delivered. I guess I should pack along an outfit that i want to change into after the flight.

I also forgot about luggage being dropped off in the room lol. That saves us even more time (to hopefully hit Fantasmic).

 

[BeckWhy]

So off to lunch we go.

We ate at Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn last trip. Eric got the double bacon cheeseburger and I got the chicken wrap. His burger was really good, my wrap not so much. The other CS in MK I've always ate at was Columbia Harbour House. We skipped it last trip to try Pecos Bill's. My mom and sister ate there in Dec 2007 and said they weren't impressed. So back to Pecos Bill's then!

It was decently busy. Longer lines than I had expected. But they have the new ordering machines so you just use the computer and not have to wait in line for a CM. Barely any one was using them. I don't know if its because they don't understand how or just to know they are there. I went up to one that wasn't being used but the one in front was. It was a family. While I was trying to order two of their boys kept coming up and pushing buttons. Control your children!

Last time they had this really yummy PB brownie that I wanted. I wanted it so bad and they didn't have it anymore! Well, Eric and I ordered the same thing: double bacon cheeseburger with fries. I ordered a large Sprite for us to share.

Eric wanted to just sit down. I don't think he realized his burger had NOTHING on it. So I went to the toppings bar and then Eric started having a cow because it was taking me so long to pick out my toppings.

The seating area was empty! I mean, not literally, but you could find a seat if you needed one. I had told Eric we'd sit outside if we had too because it wasn't that hot. We didn't need to.

Sorry, we started eating before I remembered to take a pic.

The burgers were good, as always. Could have used more bacon though. Love lots of bacon on my burgers! The fries... I think there was less than last time.

After lunch we headed over to the Jungle Cruise. We had skipped it earlier because the line had gotten long. We came back and it said 20 minutes so we got in line.

 

[BeckWhy]

Just as we started to reach the docking area it started to sprinkle. We loaded our boat and we were the first on! We just sat down and... the skies opened up and God released his wrath among us. It just started downpouring like it hadn't rained in 1234923487283904 years. I GOT SOAKED!

Our skipper's name was Julie. When we returned to the dock the girls working there opened up the roof and got SOAKED also, but it appeared to have happened a few times to them. The ride is really old and never changes but I always get a kick out of it.

After that we headed back to Tomorrowland. Laughing Floor Comedy Club was first. I never been on this before and hadn't seen Turtle Talk either. So we got in line and waited for the show in progress to conclude.

I asked Eric if I should text one of my corny pirate jokes to the show. They are the only jokes I know...
"What's a pirates favorite vacation destination?"
"Arrrrrrrrr-uba"

He told me no.

So we started to load the theater and Eric pushed me into an isle. I was like "I don't want to sit here, this is an isle they pick on you!" Too late. So during the beginning they put the spot light on you and write something on the screen. As I was saying they pick on you.. guess who was on TV... and I pointed to the TV and said "See!" I don't know what it said about me.

The show was very cute!

Then onto one of my favorite rides!

Eric goes "Do we have to ride this? It's the same as it was last time!" "All the rides are the same as last time! It's 20 minutes you can take a nap!"

 

[BeckWhy]

Ohhhh no! That is horrible. Did you mention anything to the desk? Maybe they could have at least vouched that the luggage was like that when they got it from the airport.

Yikes! I hadn't heard the luggage can take up to 5 hours to be delivered. I guess I should pack along an outfit that i want to change into after the flight.

I also forgot about luggage being dropped off in the room lol. That saves us even more time (to hopefully hit Fantasmic).

I didn't say anything to anyone about the luggage and I doubt anyone would have noticed. I didn't notice til I opened it.

 

[BeckWhy]

I know I have not updated in a very long time. I will get to it I promise. It's so hard working 6 days a week and planning Christmas and all! I'm sure you guys understand.

 

[BeckWhy]

Only over a month later and I'm adding an update...

So after the Carousel of Progress we headed over to Toontown... I have to head over this way every trip because I think it's the best photo op with Mickey in his traditional garb.

The garage is the bathrooms... good disguise!

Mickey's House

Even Mickey has his Christmas decorations up!

The back of Mickey's house

We're waiting for Mickey!

There wasn't much of a wait... I've never been here when there's been much of a wait. We waited maybe 10 minutes. I don't know if many people know Mickey is in there. A few times people would poke their heads in the doorway and be like "Nothing exciting in here" or something.

To my surprise... MINNIE was there too! So exciting!

I wish I didn't look so pudgy.

Then I wanted to go into Minnie's house to check out her Christmas decorations. Eric didn't want to. So he hung outside.

I didn't take too many pics in her house... it's ALWAYS so busy. I could barely get room to take those two pics.

Since I'm a Yank... we have these all over the place... of course minus Donald.

I can't for the life of me remember why we headed through Fantasyland but we decided to leave MK and head to Wilderness Lodge for dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

View down Main St

We must have wanted to ride a ride before we headed out but the line was too long. I like taking the train from Toontown to Main Street when I'm there.

We're waiting for the boat which of course we got there just a few seconds too late to catch the one that was already there.

One of the CMs working there was from Erie, PA so we started chatting him up since we visit Erie quite regularly (I was supposed to go today but it blizzarded out). He told us how he and his wife have worked for Disney for years.. the wife about 10 and he about 8. Then asked if Eric and I were "just friends, dating, engaged or married?" What if we were brother and sister? I responded with... "just friends"... Eric's response... "all the above." Umm hello? No no no no no.

 

[BeckWhy]

Here comes our boat!

Anyways we boarded the ferry and were on our way.

There was an older couple behind us talking... they were DVC members so we chatted with them. They said they'd been members for about 6 years and would have joined before if they had known more about it earlier. Then of course tried to tell us where to go and eat and such. All the places we've been to already.

Inside... kinda dark.

We got there early, of course... but I checked in anyways.. and they gave us a beeper.

We went and sat in one of the lil seating areas to wait. Eric got a wi-fi signal so he was playing the internet on his itouch.

We were beeped at 5 pm exactly. We were sat farther back than last time. You walk through the main dinning room through a smaller room through some doors and to this "porch" if you will over looking the lobby. Very secluded.

We had a great waiter.. Roy the Golden boy... I forgot his real name. He was really great. I went to snap a pic of his without him knowing but her was on top of his game... he posed just as I got the pic!

I was gonna order a drink... maybe a Huckleberry something... and Roy interupted me... he said it's not a bad drink, but strongly resembles cough syrup. He suggested a Northern Sunset. Of course I don't remember what was in it, but it was good - not great.

Wow look how sweaty I was... I didn't even think it was that hot out.
Eric ordered an Ultimate Long Island Iced Tea

As for dinner, Eric ordered the ribeye and I got the skillet.

Roy brought us out salad too, enough for both of us and then some even though it wasn't part of Eric's meal. Salad is always good. I love the cornbread and butter. Eric wouldn't touch them though. OMG! It was so good. Weird thing is, I don't really even like cornbread.

Eric's ribeye was really good and I don't like ribeye. I still think you can't beat the skillet. The beans were icky. Ribs were good, fell off the bone. Brisket was good... what is it anyways? The pulled pork, the returning favorite always yummy and amazing (Eric didn't even touch it, I was really surprised because he made me make it for him 23948019348 times since we went to WDW in 2006). But the shining star was the chicken. I couldn't get enough. I even ate the skin and I NEVER EAT CHICKEN SKIN! I asked Roy for the recipe!

 

[BeckWhy]

I ordered the aguava margarita next. I'm not sure what I expected, but it just tasted like a margarita without the salt (I need salt with my plain margies!)

When I was budgeding out our trip, I assumed we'd get dessert to go because I love the smores cheesecake they have... but we were way too stuffed.

Once we were done with dinner, of course it was downpouring. So we hung out for a few until it lightened up. Then made a mad dash for the boat dock.

I was surprised at how early we got done. We would be able to go back to the MK and watch SpectroMagic!

 

[BeckWhy]

I decided we'd head over to Frontierland and stake claim on some land to watch the parade from. We had plenty of time but I wanted to make sure I had front row seats!

So we found some seats. They had already lined the streets for the parade. I sat my butt right on the ground... in a puddle. But you know what... I already had gotten soaked before! Eric sat on a bench behind me. Soon a group of three women came up. They asked if we were saving the bench for anyone and we told them no. They sat down and soon we were chatting it up. They were from Canada: mother and her daughters. The mom and one daughter live in Ontario, the other in Vancouver. Its the one time a year they get to all be together. The Vancouverian was an avid hockey fan so we talked about our teams (Buffalo Sabers for me of course).

We also had sat next to a family, a wonderful family. Mom, dad, a little boy and a we girl in a stroller. We chatted it up with them also. It slips my mind as to where they were from, maybe Iowa. The kids had glow bracelets and to my surprise the little boy went up and asked his mom for two bracelets - one for me and one for Eric. I complimented the parents on having such a good child who is so willing to share. It's something I don't see often anymore.

The parade was amazing! It almost made me cry. Definately a great ending the first day at Disney World.

We hung around Frontierland til after the fireworks. Then headed out of the park.

I've always wanted a pic of Tomorrowland at Dark so I finally got it.

It was chaotic to leave. But both Eric and I are pretty nimble and can squeeze our way through... which we did.

 

[ryanshana]

Great TR I'm subscribing!

 

[BeckWhy]

The following morning we were up early again. We were heading off to Epcot for the day.

We stopped at Everything Pop for breakfast. We both got a bagel with cream cheese. Eric also got a milk (so he could make his instant breakfast with) and a banana.

The bagels taste the same everywhere and are good and large. Eric tried to pour the mix into his milk right off the bat and couldn't mix it because it was too full. I threw my bagel in Eric's backpack to eat later.

We rarely actually wait in line for the bus we sit on one of the benches and wait... but here's the bus as it arrived

I cannot say enough about my love for Epcot.

Eric pointed out the recycle bins to me.. I thought they were cool looking.

So for the park opening you head up to the fountain area in Future World. They had a Test Track car out there and a family selected. CMs from all the different rides were around and a bunch of the characters. After the opening the selected family gets to ride off to Test Track in the car.

We headed straight Mission: Space. I have to ride this first and before I eat.

Eric wouldn't ride the extreme side, so I did it by myself while Eric waited for me. What a great ride it is. Eric had it in his mind that he would vomit after riding it (since he throws up like every five minutes... but due to reasons I cannot say). Then after that we hopped right back on to ride the mild side, which we have never rode. OMG! I hated it. People say they get sick on the extreme side, I couldn't walk after the mild side. My head couldn't take the ride without feeling it also. It was like watching a roller coaster on the internet.

Onward to Test Track. I love cars, Eric loves cars... so this is a great ride for us.

Test Track is sponsored by GM and we're Mopar fans. Not that there is anything wrong with GM, I currently drive a Chevy... its just nothing compares to a Hemi or Cummins in my mind. Anyways, we checked out the exhibits after the ride... they didn't have any really good cars there. In 2004 they had some great examples up.

H2O SUV... hold your breath... they cost a fortune to make and even more to purchase.

In the gift shop they had this H2 made outta wood. It was kinda cool.

After TT I decided I could eat my bagel. Eric got a phone call so he wandered off to talk since TT is really loud.

 

[BeckWhy]

After that we headed to The Living Seas.. I mean The Seas with Nemo & Friends.

Mine Mine Mine

I haven't been to the Living Seas since... I might have been there in 2004, if I hadn't I have no idea when the last time I was there. They also didn't have the Nemo ride completed when we were there last. And after seeing Monster's Inc Comedy Club I really wanted to see Turtle Talk.
The queue for Nemo is really long but it is really nicely decorated.

It was a very cute ride... no line. It was gonna be 10 minutes til the next Turtle Talk show or something so we walked around and checked out the tanks. And played around in the playground.

 

[BeckWhy]

Then onward to Turtle Talk.

This was cute. I think I did like it a bit better than Monster's Inc.

We headed off to the land since it was getting to be about that time.

We ran and got FastPasses for Soarin'.
Living with the Land had a short wait, about 15 minutes, so we did that before we at lunch.

It was closed for renovation in 2006 and I missed it. I'm not that happy with removal of the boat guide... I liked the cheesy jokes they told.
I did take a bunch of pics, but I'm not going to post them.

After that it was lunch time. I was hoping they'd have Cinderella pumpkin soup, but no luck. They also have changed a few of the menu items there. But I got the same thing as last year. Turkey Muffuletta and Key Lime Pie. Eric decided on the ham sandwich and got Doritos. He also grabbed a Michelob. So after great debate, I decided to get a Smirnoff. I don't really like Smirnoff that much, but the wines they had I was more scared to try since I'm so picky when it comes to wine.

I loved my sandwich and pie. YUMMM! And I was surprised, the Smirnoff was a lot better than I remembered. Eric complained about his sandwich and took 234981039482394 minutes to scrap off every onion on it. He only ate a portion of it and packed the rest in his bag for later.